Gwendolyn Ward Phelps, 100, passed away on December 18, 2023 in Tarboro, NC. She was the daughter of the late Sylvester Jordan Ward and Christian Elnora Jernigan Ward of Colerain, NC. She married William Herbert Phelps, Jr. on December 23, 1948, who preceded her in death in 2008. They resided in Plymouth, NC for 60 years.
She graduated in 1942 from Chowan College with an Associate of Arts degree, 1944 from East Carolina University (then East Carolina Teacher's College) with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and in 1947 from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, KY with a master in Religious Education degree. In April, 1978 she received a license to practice as a Speech and Language Pathologist and Audiologist. Gwen taught for 18 years in Northampton and Washington County Schools in the fields of mathematics, science, careers, speech and language pathology.
She held offices in Plymouth Chapter No. 95 Order of the Eastern Star and offices in the NC District Order of the Eastern Star. Along with numerous other organizations in Washington County she co-founded Parents Anonymous in Washington County. Her hobby was genealogy. She served as president of the Washington County Genealogical Society in 1990. She also served on the board of directors of the Alumni Association of Chowan College for two terms.
She is survived by her children; Vashti Forrest (Tom) of Greensboro, NC, William Herbert Phelps III (Cindy) of Rice, VA, David W. Phelps of Morehead City, NC, Linda Dian Temple (Frank) of Monroeville, AL. Also surviving are grandchildren; Susan Forrest Robbins (Brian) of Stokesdale, NC, Sarah Beth Bdoyan (Gegham) of Franklinton, NC, Rachel Anne Phelps of Raleigh, NC, Laura Katherine Phelps of Denver, CO, and Brian Matthew Phelps of Durango, CO, along with five great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 23rd, 2023 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. prior to the funeral at 3:00 p.m. at Maitland Funeral Home, 306 Latham Avenue, Plymouth, NC 27962. Burial will follow in Hillside Memorial Gardens in Plymouth.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Capehart's Baptist Church, 740 Ledrew Perry Road, Merry Hill, NC 27957 or to the church of your choice.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Jane Senior Residence in Tarboro and the staff of ECU Healthcare Edgecombe Hospital of Tarboro.
Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.
